March 19th, St. Joseph's Day, has always been a special day in our family. It wasn't just Father's Day for us, but also the perfect occasion to gather around the kitchen table with our grandmother and prepare St. Joseph's Day fritters, known in Italy as Tortelli di San Giuseppe. A tradition that repeated every year: after attending Mass at the little church next to our residence, we would run home, roll up our sleeves, and get to work.The scent of lemon zest, sugar, and the festive atmosphere filled the house—memories I still carry in our hearts. Our grandmother would bring out her secret family recipe, and each of us had a role: one cracked the eggs, another stirred the flour, and of course, someone had to taste the dough... just to 'make sure it was good'!Today, we want to share with you our traditional St. Joseph's Day fritters recipe, the same one we made as children. These are simple, fried pastries that puff up beautifully and are coated in sugar. A sweet treat perfect for celebrating this Italian tradition that tastes like home.
Easy Recipe for St. Joseph’s Day Fritters (Serves 8)
Ingredients
· 300 ml water
· 70 g butter
· 250 g all-purpose flour
· 4 eggs
· 1 lemon (zest only)
· 250 g sugar
· 500 ml vegetable oil (or half vegetable oil and half lard)
· A pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. In a saucepan, heat the water with butter and a pinch of salt. Bring it to a boil, then add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Let it cool completely.
2. Once the dough has cooled, add the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully absorbed before adding the next.
3. Add the finely grated zest of one lemon, two tablespoons of sugar, and another pinch of salt. Mix well until you get a smooth batter.
4. Heat the oil (not too hot) in a deep frying pan. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the oil and fry until the fritters puff up and turn golden brown.
5. Remove the fritters with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels. Roll them in the remaining sugar while they’re still warm. Pile them up on a serving plate and enjoy!
A Taste of HomeThese traditional Italian St. Joseph's Day fritters are more than just a sweet treat. They are family, celebration, and childhood memories. Every bite bring us back to simpler times, when a little sugar and flour were enough to make us happy.Have you ever tried making St. Joseph's fritters at home? Share your story in the comments below!
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